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A GARDEN FULL OF WONDERS

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

The garden is full of wonders!

Here in North Carolina we have had lots of rain this summer.

In addition to all the rain, we have been traveling a good bit, so our yard is in serious need of attention.I have been trimming hedges, pulling weeds, and was getting ready to tend to the pond when I grabbed a few items from the garage and noticed something in the bushes.Can you see it?

Here, I'll go a little closer. Can you see it now?

I was so excited when I first saw this green caterpillar.

I quickly peered in for a close-up look and noticed all the cocoons on her body. It didn't matter to me what kind of caterpillar it was, I just thought all the white cocoons hanging on were soon-to-be butterflies. Nice thought huh! Almost as quickly as I noticed her, I headed back off to do my yard work.

Each time I headed into the garage for another tool, I'd take a peek at the caterpillar. And for a day or two as I passed this bush, I would take a peek at the caterpillar and all the babies.

I mean they are cocoons and caterpillars make all kinds of cocoons, right?

Well, I was WRONG!Are you squeamish?...Often, when I am intrigued by wonders in the garden, I will Google-it. What I found was that this green caterpillar, with white cocoons on its back, is actually a Tomato Hornworm. They eat tomatoes which is bad for the gardener, but that didn't bother me as much as this did...

28 comments:

Okay- I gotta tell you- I got kind of creeped out reading about that caterpillar being eaten from the inside out...and then I "heard" the squoosh of you stepping on him. I don't think I am quite ready for lunch now- lol I think I might save this post as an appetite suppressant!;>) xo Diana

Oh goodness, I may have smashed those white wormy squiggles without any assistance from Google. Due to all of our rain, we have slugs, caterpillars, and various types of plant rot. Plus a warren of rabbits has moved onto our property and eaten scads of flowers. It is rather daunting to think about.

Oh my gosh! That is an awful sight now that you know what's going on with the caterpiller. I had no idea that kind of thing existed. It's like a horror movie for caterpillers!! LOL! I feel bad for it either way. I'm not sure which was worse, being stepped on or being eaten away slowly. Your method was definitely the kinder one though. Poor guy!

I was late signing up Cindy so came in on this post. OMG for such a horrible life, the little bugger really is pretty if you look at him objectively, but I don't know how you could stand to squash it. Not that you should'nt have but did it make a sound?? Ugg!!..Happy Tuesday..Judy

Actually any caterpilllars kind creep me out Cindy. I have had a bad experience with them when I was little, the furry kind, because a whole bunch dropped on me one time and I was scared like crazy and itched even more! I was about 7 or 8 and I can't forget! So though pudgy and cute, I still have that horrid memory that it's hard for me to look at them without trying to 'kill then'! So make sure to don't show it to me when I'm in your garden dear. ;-)

I have seen those tomato worms before but never the white wasp larvae....YUCK....like big maggots. I normally love rice but I think it might be a while before I eat any. I agree that you did the right thing to put it out of its misery but I would not have had the courage to squish it.

Oh my goodness Cindy -- that really is creepy! Ughhh. I think you absolutely did the right thing; nature can indeed be very cruel. Our family used to watch "Planet Earth" on the Discovery Channel several years ago, and I had to stop watching because they always showed the predator killing other animals and I just couldn't watch anymore. I know that all animals have to eat, but I prefer not to watch them do it.

Cindy you did the right thing by smashing that caterpillar, it was really a very kind act. Now me on the other hand would have smashed it the very first day I saw it...yes without even knowing the full story of it's suffering. I would have smashed it for looking so very yucky AND to put ME out of MY misery! LOL

You definitely did the right thing ~ The thought of that caterpillar suffering so slowly and agonizingly made me so sad - You were so right to end her suffering quickly ! Good for you !I have seen one other white squirrel - when my daughter was a student at Ohio State University, there was a white squirrel that must have lived around her dorm - everyone knew about it and we did see it for several years (I'm assuming it was the same one ! But, who knows ...? )

Cindy, good for you!! That was such a sad story and horrible. Nature is fascinating, but can be cruel, too. We live on a pond and every year Canada Geese mate and try to raise their babies here. However, we have seen so many of them not make it and it breaks our hearts every time!

The garden is definitely full of lessions...some can be a bit disqusting....lol. I just found your beautfiul blog. I am going to follow. Excited to meet you and visit with you. By the way, snakes do not bother me....I have thrown five from my yard this year...I know, my husband says I am totally wierd....I just hate to kill a snake that does not pose a threat...Stop by and visit with me and maybe follow along. Blessings....great to meet other believers in Christ..

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